Distributor for asphalt and the like



Aug. 20, 1929. E. B, NEAL DISTRIBUTOR FOR ASPHALT AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 20, 1929. E. B. NEAL DISTRIBUTOR FOR ASPHALT AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 1, 1927 Invenlor: ErnwLRNeaZ,

Patented Aug. 20, -1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT o =1=1cE.

ERNEST B. NEAL, OF WOLLASTON,MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB T0 KINNEY MANUFAC- TURING 00.,01 BOSTON, MASSAGHUSETTS,-A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

DISTRIBUTQR FOR ASPHALT AND THE LIKE.

Application filed December 1, 1927. Serial No. 236,966.

This invention relates to distributors for asphalt and similar materials and has for its object the provision of means whereby certain of the heating devices may be placed out of commission when the asphalt in the tank reaches a low level, thereby preventing the asphalt from coking on the inner wall of said tank above the level of the asphalt remaining in said tank. i

This object is attained by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, one preferred form thereof is illustrated in the drawings, this form having been found to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized, and the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein the scope of the appended claims.

Of the drawings:

Figure 1 represents an elevation of an asphalt distributor embodying the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 represents a vertical section of the asphalt distributing unit, on line 2, 2, on Fig. 3, and

Figure 3 represents a longitudinal section of the same on line 3, 3, on Fig. 2.

Similar characters indicate like parts shown and described except as required by v throughout the several figures of the drawings.

In the drawings, 10 is a motor truck of any well known construction and provided with a platform 11 which may be used for any desired purpose, said platform being perfectly fiat and adapted to have superimposed thereon the base 12 of an asphalt distributing unit. a v p This base is composed in part of cradles 13 in which rests a tank. 15 adapted to contain asphalt to be heated and'then distributed over the surface of a road, said tank being secured to said cradles by metal straps Thetank 15 is provided at the top with an opening 16 through which the asphalt may be inserted into said tank, said opening rovided with'a cover 17.

From lue bottom of the tank 15 extends a pipe 18 extending to a pump 19 from which extends a return pipe 20to the tank 10.

The inlet to the pipe 18 is provided with a valve 21 for regulating the discharge of asphalt through said pipe 18, said valve 2l having a rod 22 extending upwardly through the tank 15 and provided at its upper end with a wheel 23 by which said valve 21 may be opened and closed in any well known manner.

From the pump 19 extends a discharge pipe 24 to the distributor or sprayer bar 25, said pipe 24 having a valve 26 therein to cut oil communication between the pump 19 and the distributor bar 25.

The pump 19 is driven by a motor 27 and when valve 26 is closed and valve .21 open the pump may be operated to create a circulation of the asphalt through the tank.

\Vhen the valve 21 is closed and valve 26 open the circulation of the asphalt through the tank will stop and the asphalt will then be discharged under pressure I through the distributor bar 25.

The inner end of a pipe 20 has a downward extension 28 the mouth of which is near the, bottom of the tank 10.

Within the tank 10 is a vertical pipe 29 the lower open end of which extends through" the bottom wall of the tank while the upper open end thereof extends through the upper wall and is enclosed by the cap 30.

Should the heated asphalt fill the tank 10,

portions thereof .will pass through the openings 31 and pass into the upper end of pipe 29 from which it will be discharged through the lower end 32 thereof.

Near the front wall of the .tank 10 is a partition 33 forming a heating chamber 34 haging a stack 35 extending from its upper en v Near the rear end of the tank 10 is a similar partition 36 forming a heating chamber 37 having a stack 38 extending from its upper end.

ositioned in the partitions 33, 36 and connecting theheating chambers 34, 37 are a plurality of flues 39 through which'the heated air is adapted to pass to heat the asphalt within the tank 10.

Below these flues 39 is a U-shapedtube 40 one end of which terminates in the partition 36, while the other or inlet end extends through said partition 36 and heatin chamber 37 and terminates in the end wal of the tank 10- i l The return bend 41 of said tube 40 is adjacent but not in contact with .the partition 33.

In the'inlet end of the tube 40 is disposed some means for creating an intense, heat 5 which may be forced through the tube 40 it against the rear ends of the flues and preand flues 39 and thereby heat the asphalt until it reaches a consistency suitable for distribution upon the road.

y In the drawings a nozzle 42 is indicated which produces the required heat, air being admitted thereto through the openings 43 thereof.

The heat producing device is not shown in detail as it forms no part of the present invention.

The rear end of the U-shaped tube 40 rests on a support 44 and is secured in position thereon by the plate 45 and bolt 46.

The rear ends of the flues 39 areadapted to be closed by a gate 47 hinged at the upper end thereof at 48 to the partition 36 so that normally the weight of the gate will retain vent the heated air from said flues.

When the gate 47 is in the position shown in Fig.3. the heated air passing through the U-shaped tube 40 will be discharged into the heating chamber 37 and pass upwardly therein to the stack 38.

Secured to the lower end of the gate 47 is passing through one end of a chain 49 having its opposite end extending through the rear wall of the tank and provided with a ring 50 by which the gate 47 may be moved about its hinges 48 into a horizontal-position against the stop 51', thus shuttin off the upper end of heating chamber 37 and uncovering the flues 39. At the ends of the gate 47 are partitions 52 which coact with the gate 47 when in its horizontal position to shut off the upper end of chamber 37.

At this time the heated air emitted from I I the U-shaped tube 40 into the heating 0 mber 37 will pass through the fiues 39 to eat- .ing chamber-34 and then to the stack 35.

v When the tank 10 is as halt both the tube 40 and flues 39 are utilized to convey heatthrough the tank 10 while a circulation of said asphalt is being kept up by the operation of pump 19.

J When the asphalt reaches a low level the flues 39 are shut ofi' by the gate 47 a (1 then there is sufiicient heat in the e 40 to keep the asphalt inproper condition for distribution.

lVhen the distributorv is moving to the point where thework is to be done, the heater will be in operation but-as'soon as this point is reached and the asphalt has the proper consistency for distribution the heat is cut oif, the valve 21 closed and valve 26 opened so that the asphalt may be forced by' pump 19 through the sprayer bar 25.

When the .heat is passing through the flues well filled with ing the gate 47 asthe heatpassing through the tube 40 will be sufiicient to heat the small quantity of asphalt to be used.

By providing the U-shaped tube 40 with its return bend 41 removed from the partition 33 there is no danger of burning out said theret rough, this heat when emitted from the opposite end of the tube 40 being insufiicient to have an injurious effect upon the end wall of the tank 10 against which it is dissharged.

This makes a very effective asphalt d istributor which may be used on either large or small jobs without any opportunity being afforded for-the asphalt to cake upon the inner wall of the tank.

While the distributor is described as being used for asphalt it may be used equally as well for tar, and many other similar bituminous materials. g

It is believed that theoperation and many artition by the intense heat forced advantages of the invention will be undercontain asphalt or similar material and having front and rear heatin chambers confined therein; a plurality oi flues connecting said chambers; an outlet from each chamber; a U-shaped tube within said tank extending forwardly from the rear chamber with its inlet and adjacent said rear chamber and its outIetcOmmunicating with the rear heating chamber; means for supplying heat to the inlet of said U-shaped tube; and means within the rear chamber adapted to close either the flues or the outlet to said rear chamber. I

2. The combination of atank adapted to contain asphalt or similar material and having front and rear heating chambers confined therein; a plurality of flues connecting said chambers; a gate in the rear chamber for closing said flues and adapted to close the outlet from the rear chamber when the flues are open; an outlet from each chamber; a U-shaped tube within said tank extending forwardly from said rear chamber with its inlet and adjacent said rear chamber and its outlet communicating with the rear heating chamber; and means for supplying heat to the inlet of said U-shaped tube.

3. The combination of a tank adapted to Ill) contain asphalt or similar material and havthereof and its outlet communicating with the rear heating chamber; and means for su plying heat to the inlet of said U-shaped tu e.

4. The combination of a tank adapted to contain asphalt or similar material and having front and rear heatin chambers confined therein; a plurality o flues connecting said chambers; an outlet from each chamber; a U-shaped tube within said tank extending .forwardly from the rear chamber nearly to the front chamber with its inlet end extending through said chamber and the outer wall thereof and its outlet communicating with the rear heating chamber; a heat generating nozzle extending into the inlet of said U- shaped tube; and means within thelrear chamber for simultaneously closing the outlet from said rear chamber and opening said flues. 1

5. The combination of a tank adapted to contain asphalt or similar material and having front and rear heatin chambers confined therein; a plurality o flues connecting said chambers an outlet from each chamber; means in the rear chamber for temporarily closing said flues and simultaneously opening the outlet from said rear chamber; a U-shaped tube with its inlet end extending through the rear chamber and its outlet communicating with the rear heating chamber; and a heat enerator. extending into the inlet of said U- aped tube. 6. The combination of a tank adapted to contain asphalt or similar material and having front and rear heatin chambers confined therein; a plurality o flues connecting said chambers an outlet from each chamber; means in the rear chamber for temporarily closing said flues and simultaneously opening the outlet from said rear chamber or clos-' ing said outlet and opening said flues; a U- shaped tube extending forwardly from the rear chamber with its'inlet end extending rearwardly throu h said chamber and the outer wall thereo and its outlet communicating with the rear heating chamber; and 1 means for supplying heat to the inlet of said U-shaped tube.

7. The combination of a tank adapted to 1 contain asphalt or similar material and havsaid chambers; a movable gate in the rear chamber adapted in one position to close said flues and in another position to shut off the upper end of the rear chamber; a chain for moving said gate extending through a wall of said tank; an outlet from each chamber; a U-shaped tube extending forwardly from the rear chamber nearly to the front chamber with its inlet end extending rearwardly through said chamber and the outer wall thereof and its outlet communicating with the rear heating chamber and means for supplying heat'to the inlet of said U-shaped tube.

8. The combination of a tank adapted to containasphalt or similar material and having front and rear heating chambers confined therein with outlets at the top thereof; a plurality of flues connecting said chambers; a gate in the rear chamber adapted to be moved into position to close either the en trance to said flues or the outlet from the rear chamber; means outside said tank for operating the gate; a U-shaped tube extending forwardly from the rear chamber with its inlet end extending rearwardly through said chamb r and the outer wall thereof and its outlet co unicating with the rear chamber; and means for supplying heat to the inlet of said U-shaped tube.

contain asphalt or similar material and rovided with front and rear heating cham rs confined therein with outlets at the top thereof; a plurality of flues connecting said chambers; a U-shaped tube in the bottom of said tank with its discharge end communicating with the rear chamber and its inlet end extending through the rear wall of said tank; a, heat generator in the inlet of said U-shaped tube; and means for temporarily placing said flues in commission and at the same time closin the outlet from said rear chamber.

10. he combination of a tank adapted to contain asphalt or similar material and provided with front-and rear heating chambers confined therein with outlets from the top thereof; aplurality of flues connecting said chambers; a U-shap'ed tube in the bottom of said tank with its dischar e end communicating with the rear ch m r and its inlet the outlet of the rear chamber or through" said flues to the. front heating chamber as desired.

11. The combination of a tank adapted to contain asphalt or similar material and rovided with front and rear heating chambers confined therein having outlets from the top thereof, the outlet from the rear chamber being closed under certain conditions; a plurality of flues connecting said chambers j a U-shaped tube in the bottom of said tank its inlet end extending through the rear wall below said fines with its dischar e end comof said tank and its outlet end communicat- 1 municating with the rear eham er; a heat ing with the rear heating chamber; flucs generator in the inlet of said U-shaped tube; above said tube connecting said chambers;

5 and a single movable gate positioned forsiand a single device operable either to close multaneously placing said flues out of comthe entrance to said flues and open the outmission and opening the outlet from the rear let from the rear chamber or open said flues chamber. and close said outlet.

.12. The combination of a'tank adapted to Signed by me at 746 ()ld South Bldg,

1 contain asphalt or similar material and con- Boston, Massachusetts, this 22nd day of Notaining a heating chamber at each end there'- vember, 1927. 'of; an outlet from each chamber; a U-shaped 'tube Within the bottom of said tank having ERNEST B. NEAL. 

